May 2003 — Texas Supreme Court rules 8-1 that districts should be allowed to try to prove their claims

December 2003 — A group of 60 low and average wealth districts join the wealthier districts. Plaintiffs would grow to more than 300 districts, including Houston ISD

Sept. 15, 2004 — After a six-week trial, state District Judge John Dietz declares the school funding system unconstitutional on several grounds

July 6, 2005 — Texas Supreme Court hears arguments

Aug. 19, 2005 — Legislature ends second special session without passing a new school finance plan

Nov. 22, 2005 — The Texas Supreme Court rules that local property taxes for school funding amount to an unconstitutional statewide tax and gives the state until June 1 to fix the system. The court agreed 7-1 with one of three arguments brought against the state, but found that overall school funding is adequate and that poor districts have equal access to facilities funding.

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